Injuries are a part of football, and no athlete is immune to them, no matter how athletic they may be.

A number of stars throughout the SEC suffered season-ending injuries during the 2014 campaign, and for some teams those injuries served as major setbacks during the course of the year. With that in mind, here are the five most important players returning from injuries throughout the SEC in 2015.

(NOTE: This list is limited to players who will return to college next season. Thus, a player like Todd Gurley is ineligible as he heads to the NFL.)

1. The Ole Miss Rebels: Injuries decimated Ole Miss more than any other team in the conference, as so many key contributors suffered season-ending wounds that this piece could be dedicated solely to the Rebels. But in the interest of spreading the wealth throughout the conference, let’s just combine all those injuries in one place on the list. The injury bug bit Ole Miss before the season even arrived, as touted junior college transfer Tee Shepard suffered a season-ending toe injury early in fall camp. He was expected to be a contributor in the secondary right away, and should compete for a starting job in 2015.

Then came the broken bones. Denzel Nkemdiche went out of the year in late October after suffering a fractured ankle in a loss to LSU. Top wideout Laquon Treadwell fractured his leg one week later in a loss to Auburn, and All-SEC left tackle Laremy Tunsil fractured his leg in the Rebels’ Peach Bowl loss to TCU. Nkemdiche and Treadwell should be healthy to participate in spring practice, and Tunsil should be back in time for fall camp. All three should retain their starting roles in 2015.

2. Kenyan Drake, Alabama: Drake was Alabama’s third tailback in 2014, yet despite a more pass-happy offensive scheme and two talented backs in front of him he was still able to remain productive early in the season. He ran for 112 yards and 4 touchdowns at 5 yards per carry and caught 5 passes for 159 yards and 2 touchdowns in less than five full games before breaking his ankle in a loss to Ole Miss. Drake missed the rest of the season, but should return in 2015 with a chance to be Alabama’s No. 2 back behind returning workhorse Derrick Henry. If Drake recovers effectively, he’ll be able to provide a change of pace to Henry’s powerful running style, and together the two tailbacks can limit each other’s carries, keeping them both in shape for a stretch run if Alabama is once again a playoff contender.

3. Carl Lawson, Auburn: Lawson was a freshman All-American after recording 7.5 tackles for loss, 4 sacks and 2 forced fumbles as a true freshman in 2013, and he was expected to be among the best defensive linemen in the SEC in 2014. Unfortunately, he tore his ACL in spring practice and missed the entire 2014 season, and Auburn’s defense suffered mightily as a result. The Tigers finished 11th in the SEC in sacks without Lawson, and defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson was let go at season’s end. But the star lineman’s return in 2015, coupled with the arrival of new defensive coordinator Will Muschamp, should give Lawson an opportunity to star again. The rising junior received rave reviews regarding his rehab, and if he can return to form next year he should once again return to superstar status in the SEC.

4. Dwayne Thomas, LSU: Thomas is a versatile defensive back who can play both corner and safety, and in just five games in 2014 he still managed to record an interception, a pass defended, 2.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks (he recorded 5 pass breakups, 4 tackles for loss, 3 sacks and 2 forced fumbles as a freshman in 2013). He suffered an ACL injury in a win over New Mexico State that sidelined him for the remainder of the season, but the rising junior should have an opportunity to make an immediate impact on the Tigers’ secondary in 2015. Not only is he likely to return for spring practice, but he’ll have plenty of opportunities to see the field following the departures of cornerback Jalen Collins and safety Ronald Martin for the NFL, as well as a few other players who transferred after former defensive coordinator John Chavis left for Texas A&M. If Thomas can return to form, he’ll be a major player on Kevin Steele’s LSU defense in 2015.

5. Keith Marshall, Georgia: Marshall is one member of a deep stable of tailbacks at Georgia, but knee and ankle injuries suffered in a late-September win over Tennessee sidelined him for the remainder of the season. Star tailback Todd Gurley will head to the NFL after suffering a season-ending injury of his own, but Marshall will still have to compete for playing time in 2015 with rising sophomores Nick Chubb and Sony Michel. Nevertheless, Marshall is a veteran with plenty of athleticism, and even though at times it seemed like he might return from his injuries during the 2014 season he rested to make a full recovery for his 2015 return. Even if he’s not the featured back, he should still make a tremendous impact on the Georgia offense this coming year.